Phlox plant named `Laurel Beth`

ABSTRACT

A distinctive cultivar of Phlox plant named `Laurel Beth`, characterized by its variegated leaves with green centers and distinct white leaf margins; white leaf margin that is tinged with dark rose coloration during cool temperatures; dark rose stem coloration during cool temperatures; and rose red apices during the early spring.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of CreepingPhlox, botanically known as Phlox subulata, and hereinafter referred toby the cultivar name Laurel Beth.

The new cultivar is a foliage color mutation from the nonpatented Phloxsubulata cultivar Star Red. The new cultivar was discovered by theinventor in a controlled environment in McMinnville, Tenn., within apopulation of plants of the cultivar Star Red.

In side-by-side comparisons in McMinnville, Tenn. under commercialpractice, plants of the new Phlox are similar to plants of the cultivarStar Red in flower color and plant habit. However plants of the cultivarStar Red have solid green leaves whereas plants of the new Phlox havevariegated leaves.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by leaf cuttings taken atMcMinnville, Tenn. has shown that the unique features of this new Phloxplant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generationsof asexual reproduction.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of `Laurel Beth`. These characteristics incombination distinguish the new Phlox plant as a new and distinctcultivar:

1. Variegated leaves with green centers and distinct white leaf margins.

2. White leaf margin that is tinged with dark rose coloration duringcool temperatures of fall through early spring.

3. Dark rose stem coloration during cool temperatures of fall throughearly spring.

4. Rose red apices during the early spring.

The new Phlox plant has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly withvariations in environment such as temperature and light level, without,however, any variance in genotype.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new cultivar, showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. In the drawing

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a typical potted specimen of `LaurelBeth`;

FIG. 2 comprises a side perspective view of typical foliage of `LaurelBeth` after exposure to cool temperatures;

FIG. 3 shows, in side perspective view, the foliage of specimens of`Laurel Beth` after exposure to warm temperatures; and,

FIG. 4 illustrates, in close-up view, a typical flower of `Laurel Beth`.

Flower and foliage colors in the photographs may appear different fromthe actual colors due to light reflectance.

The following observations, measurements, values, and comparisonsdescribe plants grown in McMinnville, Tenn., and Roanoke, Tex., inproduction fields and 1-gallon containers, respectively.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used.

Classification:

Botanical.--Phlox subulata cultivar Laurel Beth.

Commercial.--Creeping Phlox.

Parentage: Naturally occurring foliage color mutation of Phlox subulatacultivar Star Red (not patented).

Propagation:

Type.--By cuttings or by division.

Time to develop roots.--21 days at temperatures of 25° C.

Rooting habit.--Vigorous, fibrous, and well-branched.

Plant Description:

Plant form and growth habit.--Perennial, mounded, spreading andprostrate. Used as a groundcover, border plant, and in rock gardens.

Vigor.--Vigorous.

Growth rate.--Moderate to high, usually 12 to 16 weeks to produce afinished 1-gallon container from an unrooted cutting.

Branching habit.--Freely branching, dense plants.

Height, soil level to top of leaves.--About 10 cm.

Height, soil level to top of flowers.--About 15 cm.

Stem color.--Fall through early spring: Dark rose. Spring through earlyfall: Grayed green.

Foliage description:

Arrangement.--Opposite.

Leaf appearance.--Leathery.

Leaf size, largest leaves.--Length: About 2 cm. Width: About 2 mm.

Leaf shape.--Narrow, linear.

Leaf tip.--Acuminate.

Margin type.--Entire.

Leaf surface.--Folded upright lengthwise, in cross-section, V-shaped.

Texture.--Glabrous.

Petiole.--Sessile.

Color.--Center, abaxial: 137B. Margin, abaxial: 155D. Center, adaxial:137C. Margin, adaxial: 155D. Margin, cool temperatures, fall throughearly spring: 61A.

Flower description:

Natural flowering season.--Early to mid spring. Plants may flower duringthe summer as well.

Flower arrangement.--Single flowers arranged in umbels, flowers heldupright and above the foliage.

Flower appearance.--Fused corolla with five petals. Rose pink with redpurple eye and midveins. Not persistent.

Fragrance.--Slight.

Flower diameter.--About 5 cm.

Flower depth(height).--About 5 mm.

petals.--Appearance: Velvety, satiny. Texture: Smooth. Arrangement: Fivefused into a corolla, not overlapping. Shape: Oblong. Margin: Entire.Surface: Usually flat or slightly twisted. Tip: Rounded. Size: Length:About 2.5 cm. Width: About 1.25 cm. Color: Abaxial: 68A. Midvein andbase: 61B. Adaxial: 75A.

Disease resistance: Under commercial conditions, resistance orsusceptibility to pathogens has not been observed.

Seed production: Seed production is rarely observed.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Phlox plant named `Laurel Beth`, asillustrated and described.